Results 261-280 of 10,013 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (19 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: In general terms the law sets out the maximum sentence that can be imposed for an offence and it is then a matter for the court to decide the appropriate sentence in each particular case, taking into account all the circumstances. The judiciary is independent in the exercise of judicial functions, subject only to the Constitution and the law. The specific question raised by the deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Probation and Welfare Service (19 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy will appreciate, management of the courts, along with related operational matters and logistical functions, are the responsibility of the judiciary and the Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and through the separation of powers in the Constitution. It should be noted that the Department does not record data...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (19 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Programme for Government commits to "fully implement the Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual, Gender Based Violence Zero Tolerance (DSGBV) 2022-2026". Action 2.5.4 of the Zero Tolerance Implementation Plan 2025-2026 is "to scope and develop an operational framework to introduce Operation Encompass in the Irish system, including identifying any necessary legislative...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Staff (19 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: It has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (18 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Deputy Collins is correct in stating that yesterday I got approval from the Cabinet for the State to purchase Citywest for €148 million. The reason the Government approved that was because it was going to give effect to a saving of money from the point of view of the State. After four years, we will be making our money back in respect of it. We are spending far too much money...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (18 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Deputy for his question. Four weeks ago, I was in Limerick city and met the chamber and members of An Garda Síochána. It is true to say that requests were made for further Garda visibility on the ground. I brought that message back to the Garda Commissioner. There was also a request for a community van, which would be of assistance. I am trying to see, through the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation (18 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Deputy Murphy. As he will be aware, Tipperary County Council declared the site an exempted development last January. As a result and following on from that, a contract was entered into with the Department. I believe it was last Monday that the local authority effectively gave into the judicial review applications and, as a result, the section 5 declaration will be quashed. My...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: An Garda Síochána (18 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: A person is only entitled to take a claim for personal injuries if they have sustained an injury. First, there has to be an injury before somebody can bring a claim and then allege the injury was caused as a result of, in this instance let us say, the presence of asbestos. If people have sustained an injury, it will be diagnosed when they go to the doctor and complain about a specific...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: An Garda Síochána (18 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: That is why when I engage with the Commissioner, I probe him. The Deputy has brought things to my attention, which I welcome. When he does that, I say I will raise them with the Commissioner and I do. The same will apply to other Members of this House. I have huge respect for this House. If a Member raises an issue of concern with me relating to the Garda, I will bring it to the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: An Garda Síochána (18 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I publicly apologise for the fact there was confusion last Wednesday. Deputy Kelly put down this issue for last Wednesday but I was not here through some confusion in the office. To answer the Deputy's question directly, I am not aware of the December 2016 report he referred to, which was commissioned by the OPW and the State Claims Agency, in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (18 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Irish Prison Service advises me that work, training and education is available in all prisons. Programmes of education are provided in prisons in partnership with the Education and Training Boards. Supports and services provided include basic literacy and numeracy education provision, state exams and third level qualifications. Work and training in prisons is provided by Work and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (18 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The Garda authorities have provided me with the tables below which detail the breakdown of the 120 probationer Gardaí by station, following their attestation from the Garda college on 6 June: Dublin Metropolitan Region Division Allocation DMR North Central 19 (1 Bridewell, 4 Mountjoy, 14 Store Street) DMR South Central ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Road Traffic Offences (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: Road traffic legislation is enforced as part of the day-to-day duties of members of An Garda Síochána, as well as through a programme of high-visibility road safety and enforcement operations carried out in partnership with other state agencies, in order to make our roads safer for all. An Garda Síochána has, through various media and social media platforms, highlighted...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on 29 March 2025. The application and supporting documentation was received in the Bangkok office on 24 April 2025. The application was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 08 May 2025 where it awaits examination and processing. My Departments business target for join family visa applications is 12 months. It must be made...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The visa application referred to by the Deputy was refused by the Visa Office in Dublin on 30 April 2024. The reasons for this decision were set out in the refusal letter sent to the applicant at that time. An appeal of this decision was launched on 24 May 2024.All visa applicants are advised that the onus is on them to provide as much information in support of their application as they feel...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: The rate of development in Artificial Intelligence (AI) is unprecedented and a whole of Government approach is in place to address the AI challenges effectively and harness AI opportunities. My Department has engaged, and continues to engage, with counterparts across other Departments on digital matters, including AI. The Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: I have been advised by the Garda authorities that a total of two vans in the Waterford/Kilkenny Division are allocated to Public Order duty as of 31 May 2025 (the latest date for when figures are available). An Garda Síochána publishes detailed information on the Garda fleet from 2008 to date, including a Divisional/District monthly breakdown. Monthly fleet reports are currently...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Seekers (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy may be aware, my Department is unable to publish any information that would identify any person as being an international protection applicant. This is a separate matter to the law dealing with data protection matters more generally. My officials and I are legally obliged, under Section 26 of the International Protection Act 2015, to ensure that the identity of any person...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (17 Jun 2025)

Jim O'Callaghan: As the Deputy will appreciate, the scheduling of court cases and the allocation of court business are matters for the Presidents of the Courts and the presiding judges who are, under the Constitution, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions. Furthermore, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service,...